Zoe Gates

Packs come in all shapes and sizes. Here’s how to find your perfect fit.

A workhorse pair of wool socks, a tasty drink, and one of the best lightweight headlamps we've tried: This gear kept us moving through winter's last weeks.

Carrying the tools and know-how to fix gear failures can save you from catastrophe in the backcountry.

From a wintertime proposal that ended with someone trapped in a hole to a "murdery" first date on the trail, a lot can go sideways when you go hiking with romance in mind.

Dawdle less, hike more with these tips.

Avalanche Aware will teach you where avalanches occur and how to avoid them—and it's not just for skiers.

We tested the FaceGlove in cold, windy, and sunny conditions. Here's what we thought.

From a ball cap that's made for the skin track to a shrunken-down classic board game, this is the gear that elevated our time on the trail this month.

Trail runners that align the heel and toes are all the rage among thru-hikers. But they may not be right for you. Here’s how to decide whether to make the switch.

Snow, fog, and low visibility can complicate backcountry travel. Here's how to reach your destination safely even when you can't see.

The Eagle Creek Trail, along with other hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, suffered extreme damage in last month's storms.

From refusing to use inflatable sleeping pads to packing enough just-in-case gear for our whole group, here are the things Backpacker's editors don't plan to change in 2026 even if we should.

A fire lookout with a heavenly view, a a reunion with the desert landscape that changed us, and more.

Cuboid syndrome can plague hikers. Here's how to recognize, treat, and prevent it.

Layers, tents, meals: We asked our editors to pick their personal favorite backpacking gear of December and the year as a whole.

Discover the stories our readers loved most this year.

From 10,000-mile hikes to the battle over public lands, here are the highlights we'll be thinking about long after the year turns over.

A little precipitation doesn't have to ruin a good hike. Here's how a Washingtonian prepares for the rain.

With the right system in place, dogs make the cuddliest tentmates. Here's how to set your pup up for success on their first overnight.

Dr. Morgan Brosnihan has helped thousands of backpackers on the PCT. Here's how she recommends staying injury free mile after mile.

Can our senior editor recreate her freeze-dried noodle dish of choice on the cheap? Only one way to find out.

Short days got you down? Keep the hiking spirit alive with this Bingo game.

From flashy trail apparel to desert-ready hiking sandals, this is the gear that kept our editors moving this month.

From a beginner-friendly backpack to a tent any ultralighter can appreciate, these are some of our best picks for shopping for a backpacker.

Check out Zoe Gates's author page.

From a coffee upgrade to a perfect coat, these are our editors' personal picks for the best outdoor gifts of the season.

PCT permit day is coming. Are you prepared to snag your preferred permit?

Ultralight, homemade, and customizable—these gizmos solve all kinds of backpacking problems.

Raw skin and minor wounds are the kind of little things that can send a backpacking trip off the rails. Head them off with this easy advice.

In most cases, there's no need to shell out for new gear. Here's how to repair and clean your kit for seasons to come.

The Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails will stay open, but permits, maintenance, and facilities could all take a hit.

An alpaca-wool hoodie, an ultralight and ultra-comfy backpack, and a headlamp that shines in 3 different shades of white: This is the gear that helped our editors live their best lives in September.

How many backpacks are in our senior editor's gear closet? Watch her tour here.

On her new podcast "Gear Abby," Shawnté Salabert debunks this and other outdoor myths.

Getting to Gates of the Arctic National Park takes significant effort—but adventurous backpackers will reap serious rewards.

This delectable is ready in seconds—and blows gloopy porridge out of the water.

A comfy sleeping pad, an insulated bottle to keep your drinks chilly, and a pile of fantastic backpacking food: This is the gear that helped our editors make the most of this past month.

On a damp and chilly trip to Alaska, one Backpacker editor was especially grateful for this gear.

In bear country, food storage is key—but can be a huge pain. Here's how to ease the burden of rigid bear-proof containers.

We're not counting them, but we sure could use more.

The ultrarunner completed the 272-mile trail in 3 days, 18 hours, and 29 minutes, breaking the overall supported FKT by more than 2 and a half hours.

On the formidable hike to Washington's Three Fingers Lookout, both risk and reward abound.

Grippy shoes, quality sun layers, and an ultralight backpack that can handle a load: This key gear made our adventures better this month.

The ability to unlock multisport adventures gave one hiker renewed verve for the trail.

Summer hikes call for seasonal treats.

Devices made for refilling fuel canisters solve a common hiker problem—but come with their own risks.

Summer's here, and from a pocket-size caffeine spray to trail-to-town footwear that's ready to travel, this is the gear that's getting us out there.

Sharing a cramped sleeping space with a dozen stinky hikers can be a challenge. Here's how to make it more pleasant for everyone.

Is it OK to dig a cathole with your spork? Should we all start hiking barefoot? Is bug spray a scam? Watch Backpacker's editors react to your wildest hiking takes.

For Bear Month, we teamed up with the Tooth and Claw Podcast to bring you this story of daring determination in the face of a grizzly attack.

From sculpted desert rock formations to high peaks to the mossy rainforest of the Oregon coast, these three long-trail segments are a treasure trove of gorgeous views—and you can do each of them in a day.

Every hiker has a summit that they can't stop thinking about. In honor of National Trails Day, the Backpacker editors are sharing ours.

Never-blister socks, a perfect trail tee, and more: This is the gear that Backpacker's editors loved this month.

Trailfunds aims to get hikers more involved with the nonprofits that stweard the trails they love.

Take-anywhere tamales, burly radios for the backcountry, and one great guidebook: Here's the gear we loved this month.

When this Backpacker editor joined the magazine's annual trip to Nepal, she was excited about the trail itself. What delighted her more were the high-altitude dance parties, game nights, and the moments of connection between the miles.

The kids of the Mountaineers Adventure Club are tackling serious peaks—all between classes and homework.

Vancouver Island's premier coastal trail has a reputation for being tough and rewarding. Take this advice from someone who's hiked it.

From a trail runner made for the toughest terrain to an app that literally forces you to "touch grass," this is the gear that got the Backpacker editors outside this month.

Here's what a lifelong backpacker learned when she ventured into bigger terrain.

This basic piece of gear can make or break your hiking experience.

Plus, vet-approved tips for safely introducing your pup to a hiking backpack.

Everyone has a favorite national park. But when it comes to hiking, some just do it better than others.

An ultralight first-aid kit, a cheap pair of gloves, and a luxe sleeping pad: This is the gear that's getting our editors through the tail end of winter.

Federal budget cuts force the PCTA to scale back trail maintenance, leaving key projects delayed and hikers facing tougher conditions.

We compared trekkers' pack weights, ages, total spend, and more.

Woo your beloved by planning an outing for two, complete with gourmet treats and dreamy views.

Canister stoves and cold temps don’t always mix. Here’s how to make your stove more efficient when the mercury drops.

Top-shelf winter layers, perfect backcountry powder skis, and a FOMO-inducing, trip-generating collection of travel inspo: This is the gear that got our editors outside this month.

Properly washing waterproof gear can help it last longer and perform better. But do you really need to shell out on specialized wash?

Plus more surprising results from Halfway Anywhere's annual thru-hiker report.

From an ostrich farm on the Pacific Crest to a lakeside oasis on the Colorado Trail, these off-trail adventures, chosen by thru-hikers, are well worth an extra hitch or a few more miles.

In 2020, Colorado voters approved a measure to bring gray wolves back to the state. But as reintroduction efforts continue, opposition remains strong.

Peakbagging not your thing? These hiking lists offer plenty of goals for the new year.

Hoarding gear, hiding our injuries, and packing way, way too much candy: These are the bad habits we have no intention of losing this year.

Need a hiking resolution for 2025? Pick one of these lists.

From a spin around a local trail to a hike toward a Wonder of the World, these were our editors' favorite treks this year.

From shelters to packs to gadgets, these 50 pieces of gear helped us go further, see more, and have more fun last year.

Leukotape changed the way one longtime backpacker deals with blisters.

Transform leftovers into a protein-packed trail snack.